While you were sleeping: 6th March 2017

John Stupart

John Stupart

John Stupart is the editor of the African Defence Review. He has completed his masters in War Studies at Kings College and has blathered endlessly on several mediums on all things pertaining to African defence policy, strategic, operational and tactical challenges. Most importantly, he brings you DailyMaverick's First Thing daily newsletter each morning.

Under ordinary circumstances, there would be no reason for us to mention Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and Struggle giant Ahmed Kathrada in the same sentence. On Sunday, they both featured on the news agenda as Dlamini had a public meltdown over the social grants crisis and news broke that Kathrada was recovering from brain surgery. These two people epitomise the ANC of the past and the present. One stood at the side of South Africa’s first president and the other has taken it upon herself to choose South Africa’s next president. One dedicated his life to the Struggle for human rights; the other is putting the lives of over 17 million vulnerable people at risk – because she can.

The FBI has requested the Justice Department to publicly refute President Trump's accusations that President Obama wiretapped him. Requiring a federal judge and probable cause to approve a wire-tapping, the White House has since walked back Trump's accusations, realising the implications - if true - of Trump's statement, and admitted it was unsubstantiated. The leader of the free world, it seems, has nothing else to occupy his time with.

North Korean officials confirmed the firing of four ballistic missiles into the East Sea, its name for the Sea of Japan. The "tests" were probably a response to massive military exercises between South Korea and the United States. The missiles landed inside Japan's exclusive economic zone. But not to fear! Japanese Prime Minister issued a strong disapproval of the firings, so all will be okay now.

French conservative presidential candidate Francois Fillon emerged defiant at a small rally in Paris, despite a police raid on his manor house and fresh calls by his own party to step down. Bluntly stating that "no one can stop me", Fillon is wracked with corruption accusations and dwindling support. Fillon, it seems, just doesn't know when the curtain call is up.

Years of apparent speculation have been ended with Adele confirming her marriage. Having been in a long-term relationship with Simon Konecki, Adele has recently referred to her "husband" or "marriage" at several appearances, including the Grammys. With this crucial knowledge now in hand, the world can truly rest at ease.

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PICTURE OF THE DAY

BY EPA/FELIPE TRUEBA

A protester wears a picture of US President Donald Trump and the word "Luegenpresse" (lying press) as a hat during a march by far-right wing activists and supporters in Berlin, Germany, 4 March 2017. Hundreds of people -- among them neo-Nazis, supporters of far-right party NPD and supporters of the far-right "Identitarian movement" -- attended the march organised by far-right initiative "We for Berlin - We for Germany". It was met by leftist counterprotesters.

IN NUMBERS

101

The number of geysers Nasa has identified on Saturn's moon Enceladus.

FACTS OF THE DAY

Today in 1957 Ghana became the first Sub-Saharan African country to gain independence from Britain.

John Stupart is the editor of the African Defence Review. He has completed his masters in War Studies at Kings College and has blathered endlessly on several mediums on all things pertaining to African defence policy, strategic, operational and tactical challenges. Most importantly, he brings you DailyMaverick's First Thing daily newsletter each morning.